BC-FL--Florida News Digest 130 pm, FL

December 5, 2018

Good afternoon! Here’s a look at how AP’s general news coverage is shaping up in Florida. Questions about coverage plans are welcome and should be directed to the AP-Miami bureau at 305-594-5825 or miami@ap.org. Ian Mader is the news editor and can be reached at imader@ap.org. Terry Spencer is on the desk and can be reached at tspencer@ap.org. A reminder this information is not for publication or broadcast, and these coverage plans are subject to change. Expected stories may not develop, or late-breaking and more newsworthy events may take precedence. Advisories and digests will keep you up to date. All times are Eastern. Some TV and radio stations will receive shorter APNewsNow versions of the stories below, along with all updates.

TOP STORIES:

MISSING WOMAN-COSTA RICA

ST. PETERSBURG _ Investigators say a body found near an Airbnb rental in Costa Rica has been identified as that of Carla Stefaniak of Florida. The Miami Beach woman went missing on a trip to celebrate her 36th birthday. A family friend told The Associated Press that Stefaniak loved to travel, post photos of her journeys on social media and make people laugh. Her family is in the process of trying to bring her body back to Florida. By Tamara Lush. UPCOMING: 600 words.

SPACE STATION

CAPE CANAVERAL _ Christmas turkey is rocketing toward the International Space Station, along with cranberry sauce, candied yams and the obligatory fruitcake. SpaceX launched the holiday shipment Wednesday from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Falcon 9 rocket blasted into a clear, chilly sky; the first-stage booster was aiming for a touchdown back at the launch site, once its job was done. By Marcia Dunn. UPCOMING: 500 words with AP Photos.

IN BRIEF:

GALVESTON-CRUISE TERMINAL _ Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and the Port of Galveston plan to develop an $85 million terminal — the third for the cruise-popular city on the Gulf of Mexico. The Galveston County Daily News reports the partnership was announced Tuesday.

SHERIFF-INSULTS _ A Florida sheriff is calling county council members “scumbags” for voting to challenge a state constitutional amendment that granted five county-level offices, including sheriff, more power by having them directly elected.

KIDNEY DONATION-STRANGER _ A Florida firefighter has donated a kidney to help a stranger.

CONJOINED TWINS-HOMECOMING _ Jesi and Remi Pitre are coming home in separate car seats seven months after they were born conjoined at the belly.

EX-FOOTBALL PLAYER DEATH _ The death of a former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman last month has been ruled an accident, Hawaii authorities said.

SCHOOL SHOOTING-FLORIDA _ A public relations crisis consultant hired to advise a Florida school district after a mass shooting is apologizing after dismissing the district’s critics as “crazies” and calling a reporter a “skanky” ″jerk” who “smells bad.” A leaked video shows Sara Brady making the comments to an audience of public relations professionals in July.

POLICE CHASE-DEATH YHALIA, Miss. _ Two Florida women are accused of leading Mississippi authorities on a fatal car chase through several counties. News outlets report Tae’ona Edmondson, of Cape Coral, Florida, and Tanairy Portal, of Miami, appeared in court Monday.

UCF CYBERSECURITY COMPETITION _ A team from the University of Central Florida has won a national cybersecurity competition. UCF’s Collegiate Cyber Defense Team won the U.S. Department of Energy’s CyberForce National Competition last weekend.

SON SHOT _ Authorities say a Florida father was justified under the state’s “stand your ground” law when he fatally shot and killed his 32-year-old son.

IN SPORTS:

FBN--DOLPHINS-HOWARD

DAVIE _ Cornerback Xavien Howard leads the NFL in interceptions, and his takeaway skills are a big reason the Miami Dolphins are in the playoff picture despite a soft defense and sputtering offense. He’s hopes to be a ball hawk again Sunday when Miami plays New England and Tom Brady. By Steven Wine. UPCOMING: 500 words, photos by 6 p.m. ET.

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